Wow! Lots of long and 'informative' posts. All I have to say is: I lived in the USA for 7 years and moved home eventually because I got so sick of struggling to make a basic living and pay basic bills and have basic rights! When I moved home Australia was in the middle of the 'Work Choices' debarcle which actually brought me to tears and all I could think was "What has happened to Australia in all those years I was gone?! People have gone crazy!" it pains me when I see 'patriotic' teenagers with Aussie flag draped over their shoulders. I am a teacher and if there's one important lesson I always teach it's Question Everything! That's why I love being an Aussie - because we are a people who aren't willing to stand by a become unknowingly oppressed like many Americans. Ditch 'patriotism' Aussies and do something you can be really proud of... Examine and queston the systems to make sure you're being looked after!